Posted by Racer on August 9, 2004, at 16:19:37
In reply to Anger = more meds?, posted by Sebastian on August 9, 2004, at 12:02:31
At rock bottom, it depends on the cause of your unresolved anger. If it's psycho-social, the pdoc probably isn't the one to address it from a psychotherapeutic direction. (By the way, have you tried therapy for it? Has it helped?) If, on the other hand, the anger is an outward manifestation of unremitted depression or bipolar despite the medications you're already taking, then yes -- the new med is appropriate.
Now, in fairness to pdocs, the new model of meds management divorced from psychotherapy limits a lot of pdocs in what they're comfortable and capable of treating effectively. It's a model that I vaguely distrust, so keep that in mind when considering what I have to say here. Even if the pdoc *knows* that the problem is better addressed by psychotherapy, he or she may not be comfortable either suggesting that another mental health professional is more appropriate to handle the issue, or saying that more of what he or she *can* provide *isn't* the answer. (Honestly -- I've talked to my doctors and vets about this. A lot of them seem to feel as if they are *required* to do something -- a test that probably isn't needed, a prescription that certainly isn't indicated, anything at all -- to fulfill the expectations of the patient. For some, it's caring and wanting to do *something* for their patients. For others, it's being afraid of the patient getting upset and leaving. And, for still others, it's a fear of missing something that will lead to legal liability.)
Remember, while you may be perfectly reasonable when told that you need a therapist rather than more drugs, others may not be -- and some of those others, in a psychiatric practice especially, may be quite frustrated when thwarted.
By the way, the best answers to your question will only be possible if you tell us what drugs you're taking, and at what dosages.
Best luck.
poster:Racer
thread:375631
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040805/msgs/375712.html